Reference check
In short
A reference check is when an employer contacts people you previously worked with to verify your role, performance, and reliability before finalizing a job offer.
For remote roles, reference checks matter even more because the employer cannot observe you in person before hiring — a strong reference from a past manager or client is one of the few direct signals of how you actually perform. Ask former managers or clients for permission before listing them, and give recruiters accurate contact details so the check does not stall your offer.